tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698059.post6164594323006068006..comments2015-08-02T09:41:28.336-04:00Comments on The Mumpsimus: Dear Mr. ObamaMatthew Cheneyhttps://plus.google.com/109233497006166204043noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698059.post-14447832331471557592008-12-28T14:00:00.000-05:002008-12-28T14:00:00.000-05:00It has been disappointing to see Obama disappoint ...It has been disappointing to see Obama disappoint his most fervent supporters with decisions like these. However, I'm tempted to ignore decisions that don't directly translate into policy. You might remember Obama's support of the FISA compromise with the same sort of disgust.<BR/><BR/>And to Alex as well: On divisive issues like gay rights, I am inclined to think his invitation to Warren is actually *better* for the cause. Don't forget that he specifically addressed gay rights in his acceptance speech, which I take to mean that he's serious about progress in this arena. Giving both sides a voice will be more effective in silencing the flame-throwing rhetoric that has defined the political climate of the last 8 years, than 'taking revenge' by cutting off the voice of the religious right altogether. In this sense, Obama is doing exactly what he said he would do: i.e. be a uniter, not a divider :)<BR/><BR/>Also, 'hate-mongerers' on the right do not see themselves as such. They believe they are doing a good and respectable thing. They feel the 'Christian way of life' is threatened by homosexuality, and for Obama to go on the offense will only heighten their paranoia and cause them to respond with equal ferver. If religious right is not angry, they won't organize, and without organization they lose political clout.Andre the Gianthttp://www.portableheadache.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698059.post-4900184306255252022008-12-22T13:16:00.000-05:002008-12-22T13:16:00.000-05:00I'm starting to think that the only intelligent re...I'm starting to think that the only intelligent response to modern politics is cynicism. The system is designed mostly to keep in the traditional power players and prevent any substantive change.Lukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08499975976127437276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698059.post-4392260672459726582008-12-21T21:19:00.000-05:002008-12-21T21:19:00.000-05:00I'm going with the theory that the Obama team is l...I'm going with the theory that the Obama team is looking a half dozen moves ahead on the chess board. I'm hoping this seemingly insane decision will have some other use to be revealed later.Paul Lambhttp://www.paullamb.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698059.post-91605720377679080292008-12-21T19:50:00.000-05:002008-12-21T19:50:00.000-05:00The sad thing is that I think this is indicative o...The sad thing is that I think this is indicative of the kind of decisions Obama will continue to make. His most fervent supporters note that he is practicing here what he practiced during his election campaign, this tactic of "unity." <BR/><BR/>People think Obama has transcended party politics, but he's really immersed in them. He's refused to defend the marginalized (gays, Muslims, black fathers, etc.) before, instead trying to show how good of a sport he is in the eyes of the religious right and the Republicans. All the while, he pays lip service to more progressive ideals and claims to support LGBTs. Here is his chance to prove to LGBTs, after the sour experience of Proposition 8, that he will not tolerate a virulent bigot giving the invocation at his inauguration, and he's refusing to rescind his invitation. Tsk, tsk. <BR/><BR/>During his campaign for presidency, I noted several instances of Obama playing both sides of the political spectrum to achieve presidency and here, he's at it again, being a shrewd, opportunistic politician and veiling it with cheery rhetoric about how America has to come together or else nothing will get done. Does anybody realize how much he capitulates, how much he gets on his knees for conservatives before doing anything for progressives? <BR/><BR/>The selection of Warren, the rationalization for selecting Warren, and even the rationalization for Obama to <I>even</I> choose Warren are all absurd and do not make the least amount of sense at all. I'm convinced that there are a lot of people out there who refuse to be skeptical and who put too much faith in Obama to act alone. This is the complete opposite of what was supposed to happen: that the millions who fought to get Obama elected would be the same millions who would pressure Obama in the right direction and not have him ensnared in opportunistic politics. (Although I'm a bit more cynical and think Obama was already ensnared since the primaries). <BR/><BR/>Time will tell, but this is not a good start.Alexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698059.post-41568831175732154392008-12-20T15:40:00.000-05:002008-12-20T15:40:00.000-05:00You most certainly did not sound like a kook.You most certainly did not sound like a kook.Haddayrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02538105167989517633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5698059.post-33563522001656178262008-12-20T08:17:00.000-05:002008-12-20T08:17:00.000-05:00Matt, I think your letter to Obama is eloquent and...Matt, I think your letter to Obama is eloquent and well worded. You don't sound like a kook at all. Bravo. (C Gidney)craiglaurancegidneyhttp://craiglaurancegidney.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com